Counter former



Feb. 3, 1942. M. L. DODGE 2,271,682

COUNTER FORMER Filed April 12, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l Lila 1 W Fgb. 3, 1942. M. L. DODGE 2,271,682

' COUNTER FORMER Filed April 12, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIM Feb. 3, 142. M. L. DODGE 2,271,682

couuwmronmm Filed April 12, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 mmmg Patented Feb. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

COUNTER, FORMER Milton L. Dodge, Newburyport, Mass.

Application April 12, 1939, Serial No. 267,432

22 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for operating on the uppers for shoes, and more particularly for removing wrinkles from the lining about the sides and heel end and for shaping and pressing the top marginal portion of the counter to proper contour and to conform the upper and lining to the counter stiffener and both to desired shape.

One of the objects of this invention is to facilitate the placing and removal of the shoe parts over an inside treating form. To this end means are provided for separating the form and the outside presser means from each other lengthwise of the shoe so that the inside form is out from between the sides of the outside pressing means when the counter is placed on or removed from the form. Thus the outside presser means does not interfere with the manipulation of the shoe relative to the inside supporting form or hide it from full view of the operator.

After the shoe or shoe parts to be treated are positioned on the inside form, the form and the outside pressing mechanism are then moved relatively into lateral alinement preparatory to the forming and pressing operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for forming the marginal portions of the upper to the base flange of the counter stiffener.

Another object is to provide a machine by which the marginal portions of the upper and an unflanged stiffener may be molded together to form a base flange.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, together with further objects and advantages, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1, 2 and 3 are side, front and rear elevations, respectively, of a forming machine embodying the invention.

Figure 4 is a view similar to a portion of Figure 1, but showing the parts in difierent positions.

' Figure 5 is a horizontal section on line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 5, but with the form and presser mechanism in pressing condition.

Figure 7 is a detail section on line 'l--'! of Figure 6,

Fig-ures 6a and 7a are views similar to Figures 6 and 7, respectively, but showing a modification.

Figure 8 is a transverse section through the counter portion of a shoe preparatory to the operation of the machine of this invention thereon.

Figure 8a is a view similar to the lower portion of Figure 8, but after the operation. of the machine thereon.

Figure 8b is a view similar to a portion of Figure 8, but showing a modification.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the wiping mechanism on line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on line l0-|0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section similar to Figure 7, but showing the parts in different positions.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 9, but with the parts shown in different positions.

Figure 13 is a sectional view on line l3-i3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on line Ml4 of Figure 11.

For purpose of illustration this invention has been illustrated as applied to a former, particularly suitable for operating on the uppers of opera type slippers, and particularly on the counter portion of an upper assembled with a counter stifiener. It should be evident, however,

that various advantageous features of the invention are applicable to machines intended for operation on other types of shoes and for a fin-' ishing forming operation on the counter por-.

tions of shoes.

Referring to the drawings, and more particu-- larly to Figures 1, 2, 7 and 11, at l is shown a bracket which may be secured to the edge of a table or stand 2 and having a portion 3 extending above it. Through the top of the portion 3 there is slidably mounted substantially horizon-- tally a bar '6 which carries on its forward end an inside form 5 shaped to .receive thereover I the counter portion of a shoe or a counter stil iener I0 assembled with an upper which may have an outer layer I I and a lining I2.

The form 5 is adapted to'be projected into a forward position where it is free for the position ing thereover of the shoe upper or upper assembly, and it may be moved backwardly in between a pair of outer presser members 20 fixed to the upper ends of a pair of side arms 2 I. These side arm are fulcrumed as at 22 to a portion of the bracket I somewhat above the table 2. The lower ends of the arms 2| are shown as connected together by pairs of toggle links 23, the adjacent ends of which are pivoted to a bar 24 mounted for vertical sliding motion through a guide portion 25 projecting forwardly of the bracket portion 4. For adjusting the positions of the jaws 20 when the bar 24 is depressed to make the toggle, the outer ends of the toggle links may be adjustably pivotally connected to the arms 2| by the pivot 26 adjustable through the threaded adjustment members 21. A spring 28 connecting the lower portions of the arm 23 normally holds the upper ends of these arms outwardly spaced with the forms 20 separated so as to receive the inside form 5 between them. When the toggles are in made position the outside jaws or presser member grip the inside form with shoe parts thereon between them. Making of the toggles may be accomplished through depression of a rod 29 which may be connected to a treadle (not shown), or it may be further controlled by the swinging of a hand lever 30 which is fulcrumed at 3| to the lower end of the bracket 4 which it straddles, this lever 36 being connected as by a pivot 32 to a link 33 which has a pivot and slot connection at 34 to the lower end of the rod 24.

Provision is made, in accordance with this invention, .by which the first part of the depression of the handle 3|] or treadle connected to the rod 29, pulls the inside form with the shoe parts to be treated thereon back from its forward position shown in Figure 1 in between the side presser members 26. To this end the handle has its rear forked extremity formed as a pair of paralle1 cam elements 46 each having an arcuate portion 4| at it rear end broken at the forward portion by a depression 42 and forwardly of this portion 42 by a shoulder 43. Adapted to ride on each cam face is a roller 45 carried at the lower end of an arm 46. This arm is fulcrumed at 47 to a portion of the bracket and at its upper end has pivoted thereto as at 48, the rear end of a pull rod 56 of adjustable length, the forward end of which is pivoted as at 5| to the rear upper portion of the form 5. In the position of the parts shown in Figure l, the rollers 45 bear in the slots 42 and the form 5 i held thereby in its forward position, but as the handle portion 36 is depressed, the first portion of this motion pushes outwardly on the roller 45, causing it to ride up onto the arcuate portion 4|, this rocking the arm 46 and pulling the form 5 rearwardly in between the outer presser form 20 in position for these outer presser forms 26 to pres the shoe upper against the inner form 5 where it is held by the rollers 45 riding on the oncentric arcuate portions 4| of the cams 46.

Where the machine is to be employed to engage and press the upper'assembled on a counter stiffener, it is also desirable to conform the upper and lining to the contour of the stiffener and to hold the stiffener in proper relation to the form. In order to conform the upper to the stiffener and to bend its margin up against the outer or lower face of the stiffener flange, or in case an unflanged counter stiffener blank is used to bend up the margin to form such a flange and the upper margin at the same time, wiper means are provided in accordance with this invention, these wiper means coming in from the back of the assembled upper and counter stiffener and wiping in the upper margin or both upper and stiffener margins from the back and sides.

In order further that these wipers may engage the assembled upper and counter stiffener properly so as to properly shape the rear lower end of the counter portion of the shoe, means are provided, in accordance with this invention, for engaging the counter stiffener and holding it up in proper relation to the inside form before the wipers are brought into engagement with the upper. As shown such engaging means are intended to operate while the inner form is in its forward position where the operator has a good View of the shoe parts, and is in position to ascertain that they are all properly related to each other and to the form for the pressing operation. This counter-engaging means is shown as carried by the form 5 and is best illustrated in Figures 1, 7, 11 and 14, It consists of a finger 60 having a counter flange engaging portion 6| at its rear end. This finger 60 is pivoted at its forward end as at 62 to a bar 63 which is slidable through a depending forward portion 64 of a bracket 65 secured to the bottom face of the form 5. This bar 63 has secured thereto a collar 66, and between this collar and the portion 64 is arranged a coil spring 61 which tends to hold the finger 60 and the bar 63 in a rearward position with the portion 6| of the finger 60 in position to engage the lower face of the counter stiffener flange 68 as shown in Figure 11, or in case no counter flange has been previously formed, the operator may fold up the margin with his fingers at the heel end sufficiently for the finger 66 to engage it, while the stiffener is sufficiently limp for this to be done. At this time a leaf spring 69 secured to the collar 66 engages the under face of the finger 60 holding the finger upwardly into such contact. Thi spring 69 is sufficiently powerful to press the counter flange or margin up toward the lower face of the form 5 as far as is permitted by the interposed lining margin 10 (see Figure 8), thus tending to conform this lining L margin to the inner face of the counter stiffener adjacent to the flange. In this position of the parts an abutment 12 on the top face of the finger 60 is positioned forwardly of an abutment 13 ecured to the lower face of the form 5. When the inside form 5 is in its forward position ready to receive the shoe parts to be treated by the machine, this finger 66 is in its forward position shown in Figure 1 with the abutment i2 engaging the abutment 13, which holds the counterengaging portion 62 spaced from the inside form 5 so that the shoe parts may be placed thereover. The finger is held in this position against the action of the spring 61 as by a spring latch 15, the lower end of which engages a notch I6 in the bar 63, as shown in Figure 7. This latch 15 has a finger portion 18 by which it may be lifted and a spring shank portion 19 which is secured as by a screw to the top face of the bracket 65. When the shoe parts have been positioned over the inside form 5, the operator releases the latch 15, permitting the finger 60 to spring rearwardly and upwardly with its portion 6| in engagement with the lower face of the counter flange or margin. The parts are then in position to be moved back between the outer presser forms for the shaping and conforming operation.

The initia1 downward pressure on the handle 33 then causes the shoe parts on the form 5 to be moved back between theside jaws 20, as previously described, and the side jaws to approach pressing position thereon. The bringing of the inner form 5 into its pressing position also brings the back portions of the assembled upper and counter against a rear pressing form which is shown as adjustably secured as through a threaded bar 86 to the bracket 3 (see Figures 1, 7 and 11) The means for wiping the marginal portion of the upper which then extends below the counter flange as shown at 90 in Figure 8, up into engagement with the lower face of the counter stiffener, or both counter and upper margins as shown at 96a, into the position shown in Figure So will now be described. The wiper mechanism comprises the two wipers 90 which are pivoted together and to a wiper carrier plate 9| on the pivot 92. Thewipers 90 are normally held open as by springs 93, one end of .each of which is secured to one of the wipers 90 and the other with a pinion- I3I meshing with a rocker gear Rocking with this gear is an arm I 33" to which is pivoted theupper end of a rod I34 end is secured to an extremity 94 of a plate 95: This platesupported on the carrier plate 9|. 95 has a pair. of forward extensions 96 which underlie the wipers and which are supported at face of the bracket 3 as by the screws I05. These. springsare so positioned thatv when the form 5 with the shoe parts thereon is in its rearward position, the wipers 90 are pressed upwardly so,

that when they are swung inwardly beneaththe form 5 they press the shoe upper margin against the lower face of the counter flange. I Means are provided for so moving these wipers and in conjunction therewith for removing the counter flange clamping finger 60 from its clamping po-' sition into its inoperative or forward latched position.

Such means comprises a link H which is extensible in length and which is pivoted at its lower end as at III to an eye bolt II2 secured in the upper end of the bar 24 and has a pin and slot connection at I I3 at its upper end with one arm H4 of a bell crank lever II5. This bell crank lever H5 is fulcrumedat IIS on a sleeve IiI eccentrically disposed on a pivot H8. The opposite arm I of the bell crank lever II5 has secured thereto adjustable on a threaded portion I2I, a head I22 having a projection I23 at its top which engages in a slot I24 in the member 9! which carries the rear portions of the wipers. Thus as the bar 20 is depressed the arm I20 of the bell crank lever H5 is moved forwardly, carrying with it the rear end portions of the wipers 00. This member BI is provided with a wedge block I25 on its forward face which engages against a wedge face I26 of the finger (iii so that as the member 9I is pushed forwardly, the finger 50 is depressed, removing the abutment F2 from latching relation to the abutment I3 (see Figure 11), this releasing the finger 60 from engagement with the flange of the counter and permitting the spring 01 to pull the finger 60 forwardly into its inoperative position as shown in Figure 7 with the abutments I2 and "I3 in facial contact. Continued motion of the member 9! forwardly brings the outer edges of the wipers 90 forwardly, and through their engagement with cam elements I30 on the arms 2|, the wipers are forced inwardly from the position shown in Figure 9 to that of Figure 12, thus wiping in the sides of the upper where they extend below the counter fiange laterally and under and against the lower face of this counter flange, the upper margins being forced upwardly thereagainst by the action of the spring plungers 91 and the spring I03.

It is desirable that the initial contact of the wipers in wiping in the upper be made under a relatively light pressure so as not to roll over the counter stiffener at the juncture between its side wall and flange, but thereafter a heavier pressure to firmly seat the upper margin to the flange and against the lower face of the form is desirable. This increased pressure is accomplished in accordance with this invention by rotation of the eccentric sleeve II! in a manner to lift the arm I20 and force the wipers upwardly against the wiped-in upper margin. To this end the eccentric sleeve HT is provided at one end carrying at its lower end a cam follower roll I35 confined between a pair of fixed guide rails I35.

One of the segments 40' carries a channel cam' I31 having upper cam rails I38 and I39 spaced sufliciently to permit the cam roll I35 to pass between them, and a lower. rail M0. As the hand lever 30 is depressed from the position of Figure l to the position shown in Figure 11, the rail-l40 comes into engagement beneath the roll I35; Further downward motion of the handle lifts the roll. I35, rotating the gear I32 and the pinion I3I in directions to lift the bell crank lever I I5, forcing the wipers up against the shoeupper ers forwardly through rocking of the bell crank lever II5. On lifting the handle 30, before the pin reaches the top of the slot in the connection 34, the rail I39 engages the cam roll I35, so that continued lifting of the handle 30 pulls the roll I35 downwardly until it escapes between the rails In operation of the machine the handle 30 and the treadle being raised and the form 5 beingv in its forward position with no shoe parts in position thereover, an assembler counter stiffener with upper and lining is placed thereover, and when the parts are properly arranged thereon the operator releases the catch I8, allowing the finger 60 to engage and press upwardly the heel end portion of the stiffener flange, or if the flange ,is

not pre-formed, he bends up the margin of the stiffener at the heel end sufficiently for the finger 50 to engage it. The rod 29 is then depressed,

either by the action of the treadle or by depres-' sion of the handle 30, whereupon the assembled shoe parts and the form 5 are brought back between the side presser members and against the heel abutment and the'side presser members 20 are then swung inwardly, clamping the assembled upper and stiffener against the inner form and conforming them to the contour thereof. Through continued downward motion of the handle 30 the wipers are brought forwardly and the finger 50 is released, the wipers then continuing their forward motion. This continued forward motion causes the cam elements I30 to force the wipers inwardly laterally, thus wiping in the upper firmly against the lower face of the counter stiffener flange with a heavy upward pressure exerted thereon as the eccentric sleeve HE is rocked in pressing direction.

When the pressure has been exerted for a sufficient length of time, the operator lifts the handle 30, which first releases the upward pressure of the wipers on the shoe upper and then removes the wipers and swings the side jaws outwardly,- after which theform 5, with the fully molded parts thereon, is projected forwardly where the operator can remove the work and substitute a newly assembled stiffener and upper.

In Figures 6a and 7a a modified construction of side and rear presser members is shown, particularly suitable for use when it is desired to conform the outside and lining of a shoe to the counter stifiener where the counter portion of the upper, more particularly the outsides, is in a single piece, which causes it to have a considerable amount of fullness at the heel end because of the vertically rounded contour of the stiffener. These presser members 200 and 850 are then contoured on their inner faces closely to the desired finished counter portion of the shoe and are unprovided with pads on their inner faces so that when they are made of metal, this metal directly contacts the shoe upper. Particularly the back member 850, and, if desired, also, the side member 260, as well as the inside form, are heated as by the heating units 20! and 85l, to shrink the upper to the stiffener, thus to remove the fullness of the upper, more particu larly adjacent to the stiffener flange.

From the foregoing description of embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A forming machine comprising an inside shoe supporting form, outside pressing mechanism including side pressing members and a back presser member for pressing the upper of a shoe positioned over said form against said form, means supporting said form and pressing mechanism for relative motion lengthwise of a shoe on said form, to bring said form into and out of pressing alinement with said side pressing members and against said back pressing member, said form when out of pressing alinement being accessible for placing or removing a shoe with respect to said form, and means actuable by a single motion to first move said form and mechanism into pressing alinement and then to actuate said mechanism to press the upper of a shoe on said form against said form.

2. A forming machine comprising a supporting frame, a bar slidable on said frame, an inside shoe supporting form carried by said bar, outer pressing mechanism carried by said frame and into and out of cooperation with which said form is moved when moved relative to said frame, and means actuable in one continuous motion for moving said form into its cooperative position and there holding it while actuating said mechanism to press the upper of a shoe on said form against said form.

3. A forming machine comprising a frame, a slide carried by said frame, an inside shoe form carried by said slide, outer shoe pressing means movable transverse to the path of motion of said slide, said form in one position of said slide being between said members and in another position being out from between said members, and means actuable in one continuous motion to move said form between said members While said members are separated, and then to close said members against a shoe on said form.

4. In a machine of the class described, a form over which a counter stiffener may be placed, and a member carried by said form and constructed and arranged to engage a margin of said stiffener, which in the completed stiffener forms a marginal flange, to hold the stiffener on said form.

5. A forming machine comprising a frame, a slide carried by said frame, an inside shoe form carried by said slide, outer shoe pressing means movable transverse to the path of motion of said slide, a stationary back form, said inside form in one position of said slide being between said members and pressing the heel end of a shoe on said inside form against said back form and in another position being out from between said members, and means actuable to move said inside form between said members while said members are separated and in pressing relation against said back form, and then to close said members against a shoe on said inside form.

6. A shoe forming machine comprising a frame, a bar mounted for axial movement on said frame, an inside shaping form carried by said bar, a pair of side pressure jaws movable laterally of the path of motion of said form, said form when in its backward position lying between said jaws, and when in its forward position being out from between said jaws, a lever having one arm connected to said form to move said form from one to the other of its positions by swinging of said lever, a cam follower on the other arm of said lever, a rocker member having a portion for engagement with said follower to cause rocking of said member throughout a certain angular distance to swing said lever from and toward its backward position and a concentric portion on which said follower rides to hold said lever in said position through a further angular motion of said member, means connected with said rocker member to close said side jaws toward said inside form as said member rocks through said further angular motion, and means for rocking said member.

7. A machine of the class described, comprising a form over which an assembled counter stiffener and shoe upper may be placed, means actuable to turn the marginal portions of said assembly inwardly against said form to constitute an assembly attaching flange, and means in advance of said turning means for engaging certain of said margins to position the parts in proper relation to said form preliminary to the turning operation.

8. A machine of the class described, comprising a form over which an assembled counter stiffener and shoe upper may be placed, means actuable to turn the marginal portion of said upper and counter stiffener inwardly against said form, and means in advance of said turning means for engaging the margin only of the stiffener to position the parts in proper relation to said form preliminary to the turning operation. a 9. In a machine of the, class described, a form over which a flanged counter stiifener may be placed, and a member carried by said form and constructed and arranged to engage the flange of said stiffener to hold said stiffener on said form. I

10. In a machine of the class described, a form over which a flanged counter stiffener may be placed, a member carried by said form and constructed and arranged to engage the flange of said stilfener to hold said stiffener on said form, and means for pressing said member toward said form.

11. In a machine of the class described, a form over which a flanged counter stiffener may be placed, a member carried by said form and constructed and arranged to engage the flange of said stiffener to hold said stiffener on said form, and means also carried by said form for pressing said member toward said form.

12. In combination, a form over which a flanged counter stiffener may be positioned, a counter stiffener flange engaging member, means for moving said member from an inoperative position to a position holding said flange in a desired relation to said form, and means for molding the sides of the counter stiffener while the flange is so held.

13. In combination, a form over which a flanged counter stiffener may be positioned, a counter stiffener flange engaging member, means for moving said member from an inoperative position to a position holding said flange in a desired relation to said form, means for molding the sides of the counter stiffener while said flange is so held, and a latch for holding said member in inoperative position.

14. In combination, a form over which a flanged counter stiffener may be positioned, a counter stiffener flange engaging member movably carried by said form and in one position engageable with the flange of said stiffener at the heel end, means for pressing said member against said flange when said member is in said position, and cooperating abutments carried by said form and member holding said member out of contact with said flange when said member is in retracted position.

15. In combination, a form over which a flanged counter stiffener may be positioned, a counter stiffener flange engaging member movably carried by said form and in one position engageable with the flange of said stiffener at the heel end, means for yieldingly pressing said member against said flange when said member is in said position, cooperating abutments carried by said form and member holding said member out of contact with said flange when said member is in a retracted position, means yieldingly forcing said member toward said one position, and a latch for holding said member in retracted position.

16. A machine of the class described comprising a form over which an assembled flanged counter stiffener and a shoe upper may be placed, means actuable to turn the marginal portion of said upper projecting below said flange over in contact with said flange, and means in advance of said turning means to position said flange in proper relation to said form preliminary to the turning operation.

17. A machine of the class described comprising a form over which an assembled flanged counter stiffener and shoe upper may be placed, means actuable to engage the flange of said stiifener and hold it in a desired relation to said form, upper wipers for wiping the margin of said upper against the outer face of said flange, means for moving said form into and out of cooperative position with said wipers and when in operative relation to move said wipers to wipe in said upper margin, and means actuated by said moving means for removing said engaging means from said flange in advance of such wiping action.

18. A machine of the class described comprising a form over which an assembled flanged counter stiffener and a shoe upper may be placed,

a pair of upper pressing members mounted for motion toward and from each other, means for supporting said form for movement from and toward a position between said members, means engageable with the assembly on said form for holding said stiffener in proper position, upper margin wipers arranged for cooperation with said form when said form is between said members, a movable member, and connections actuated by motion of said movable member to first move said form and assembly between said presser members, to then move said presser members to press the assembly against such form, and to then remove said engaging member from said assembly and actuate said wipers to Wipe the adjacent margin of said upper against said stiffener flange.

19. A machine of the class described comprising a form over which an assembled flanged counter stiffener and a shoe upper may be placed, means actuable to wipe in the margin of the upper against the outer face of said flange, means actuable to force said wiping meanstoward said flange to press said margin thereagainst during the wiping action, and actuable to first relieve said forcing means and then to retract said wiping means to inoperative position, a movable member, and connections from said member to said several actuable means causing motion of said member to actuate said actuable means in the desired sequence.

20. A machine of the class described comprising a form over which an assembled flanged counter stiffener and a shoe upper may be placed, wipers pivotally mounted at their rear ends to move toward each other at their forward ends and wipe the margin of the upper against the outer face of said flange, means actuable to move said wipers forwardly to wipe in the back portion of said upper margin, means actuated by such forward motion to move the forward ends of said Wipers toward each other, and means acting on said forward moving means during the wiping operation to force said forward moving means and said wipers toward said form and press said upper margin tight against said flange.

21. A machine of the class described comprising a form over which an assembled flanged counter stiffener and a shoe upper may be placed, wipers pivotally mounted at their rear ends to move toward each other at their forward ends and Wipe the margin of the upper against the outer face of said flange, means actuable to move said wipers forwardly to wipe in the back portion of said upper margin, means actuated by such forward motion to move the forward ends of said wipers toward each other, said forward moving means comprising a lever fulcrumed in an eccentric sleeve beneath said wipers, and means actuable to rock said sleeve to force said sleeve up- Wardlyto thereby force said wipers upwardly during the wiping action.

22 A machine of the class described comprising a form over which an assembled flanged counter stiifener and a shoe upper may be placed, means for wiping in the margin of said upper against the outer face of said flange, means for forcing said wiping means to press said wiped upper margin against said flange, and common means for actuating said wiping and forcing means elfective to actuate said wiping means to wipe and then said forcing means to force, and to release said forcing means and thereafter to retract said wiping means from wiping condition.

' MILTON L. DODGE. 

